Abstract: A personally portable nanoparticle respiratory deposition (NRD) sampler configured to collect nanoparticles based upon a sampling criterion. In an aspect, the NRD sampler has an impactor stage, and a diffusion stage. In another aspect, the NRD sampler includes a particle size separator in addition to an impactor stage and a diffusion stage.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I: or salts thereof as described herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I and therapeutic methods for treating cancer.

Abstract: In vitro studies using cells transfected with acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) or acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1) cDNA, demonstrated that the miRNAs against mouse ASIC3 (miR844 and miR847) selectively inhibit mouse ASIC3, but not ASIC1 as detected by protein expression and responses to pH. When the RNAi agents, miR844 or miR847, were used in vivo, delivered into the muscle of mice using a replication-defective herpes simplex viral (HSV-1) vector, primary and secondary hyperalgesia were reduced after carrageenan-induced muscle inflammation. Accordingly, the present invention provides RNAi agents that target ASIC3, methods of preparing such RNAi agents, and methods of using them to modulate in a cell the level of ASIC3 or activity of an ASIC including at least one ASIC3. Modulation of ASIC3 activity or levels can be used for different purposes such as treating pain associated with the expression of ASIC3 and the like.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates methods for inhibiting or preventing muscle atrophy or increasing muscle mass by providing to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of ursolic acid, a derivative thereof, or an analog of the ursane scaffold. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A device comprising: two mutually immiscible conductive liquids arranged to form an interface therebetween; a plurality of nanoparticles localised at the said interface, the said nanoparticles each having a first region formed of a semiconductor having a first bandgap, the first region being surrounded by a second region having a second bandgap, the second bandgap being larger than the first bandgap; and means for applying an electric field to the said nanoparticles and thus, through the Stark effect, altering the optical absorption or emission characteristics of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention relates to Factor H gene polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with an elevated or a reduced risk of AMD. The invention provides methods and reagents for diagnosis and treatment of AMD.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymeric microparticle compositions containing one or more active agents, especially those useful for treating or preventing one or more diseases or disorders of the eye, and methods of making and using thereof, are described. In a preferred embodiment, the microparticle compositions contain one or more active agents useful for managing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. Relatively hydrophilic, and preferably carboxylated, polymeric materials such as PLGA are used for a drug such as timolol maleate, which is relatively water soluble, to increase drug loading. Higher molecular weight polymers, as well as the ratio of LA (which has a longer degradation time, up to one to two years) to GA (which has a short degradation time, as short as a few days to a week), are used to provide release over a longer period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence that encodes poly-glutamine repeat diseases, and methods of using these RNAi molecules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to small interfering RNA molecules (siRNA) targeted against nucleic acid sequence that encodes huntingtin or ataxin-1, and methods of using these siRNA molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating or preventing a pulmonary disease or disorder in a subject, the methods comprising administering an effective amount of an compound that inhibits Calmodulin Kinase II (CaMKII) activity, either directly or indirectly, thereby treating or preventing the pulmonary disease or disorder in the subject.

Abstract: The distributive elastic properties in nonlinear structures is characterized using an inverse elastostatic approach of stress analysis using assumed elastic models without knowing the realistic material parameters. Stress distributions are computed independently of strain measurements. A database of pointwise stress and strain data in regions of the nonlinear structure permits the elastic properties of the structure to be characterized point-by-point to provide the property distribution.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining optimal features for classifying patterns or objects. Also provided are methods for image analysis. Further provided are methods for image searching.

Abstract: An image of an object is synergistically reconstructed using two or multiple imaging modalities. A first reconstructed image, showing structural information of the object is produced using a first imaging modality. The first reconstructed image is segmented, and known optical properties of the object are then mapped to the first reconstructed image. Optical signal emissions from the object are detected and registered with the first reconstructed image. A second reconstructed image volume is then produced using a second imaging modality, based on the mapped optical properties after registration between the first image and the data from the second modality. The second reconstructed image depicts some optical property, such as a bioluminescent source distribution, or optical properties, such as, attenuation and scattering properties, of the object.

Abstract: A system and methods for the efficient segmentation of globally optimal surfaces representing object boundaries in volumetric datasets is provided. An optical surface detection system and methods are provided that are capable of simultaneously detecting multiple interacting surfaces in which the optimality is controlled by the cost functions designed for individual surfaces and by several geometric constraints defining the surface smoothness and interrelations. The graph search applications use objective functions that incorporate non-uniform cost terms such as “on-surface” costs as well as “in-region” costs.

Abstract: The invention presented herein provides methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. The methods are based on the discovery that depletion of bioavailable iron stimulates surface motility in bacteria thus inhibiting the ability of a bacterial population to develop into a biofilm.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining optimal features for classifying patterns or objects. Also provided are methods for image analysis. Further provided are methods for image searching.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to small interfering RNA molecules (siRNA) targeted against an allele of interest, and methods of using these siRNA molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to enforce face-to-face stacking of organic semiconductors in the solid state that employs semiconductor co-crystal formers (SCCFs), to align semiconductor building blocks (SBBs). Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals ?-orbital overlap optimal for organic semiconductor device applications.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of indene-based thiazolidinethiones are provided comprising contacting 1-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-ol, or a substituted derivative thereof, with an acid under suitable reaction conditions to provide a first intermediate; and contacting the first intermediate with an alkali xanthate in the presence of an alkali hydroxide under suitable reaction conditions to provide a compound of formula (III), wherein R1-R8 are defined herein.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.